[Log] Ready Players 1 - 5

[dragoonrouge]

Date: 14th August 2018
Characters: Sadie, Ben, Walter, Russell, and Takamasa

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It had taken a rather frank conversation aided by some cat petting at the Summer Fete but Sadie and Walter had decided that a break and a distraction from the changes that had started to be brought on by the Numbers and the Aurora was needed, something that everyone could enjoy despite their differing age brackets. It hadn't taken them long to come up with the perfect solution:

The Town Arcade.

Games, machines, and Air Hockey galore! There was something for everyone in their small, motley crew to enjoy there. Sadie was obviously bringing Ben in an attempt to make up for the failed day of relaxation that was the sailing trip, and to get his mind of his new dental arrangement and complimentary memory. Walter had mentioned bringing his roomate.

With a bit of back and forth around schedules, a date and time was set. And so, on the 14th August, the four descended on the local arcade.

Comments

[warped_replica]

Arrival
Set for an early evening rendezvous to respect work schedules, Benjiro stands on the far side of the shoreside street across from the entrance to the first arcade nearest to the pleasure pier. He had come early out into town as part of learning to wear his brand new half face mask in public. It covers his nose and mouth, and made of fabric, the dust mask is comfortable enough indoors. In the heat, less so, and he can already tell the loops around his ears will become a source of irritation. More importantly, he has to start getting used to odd looks from passerbys that are not used to this style of fashion from Asia. When school resumes, he’ll have to endure the looks and questions along with teasing.

Tonight however, is about hanging out with friends.

Watching for any sign of his best friend or the roomates, he cheerfully raises a hand to wave in greeting upon approach. He has his backpack, a stash of cash to feed the change machines, and his phone to snap pictures of every machine the crew will leave their mark on to document the escapade.

High score slaughter
When Benjiro finds a classic arcade cabinet of the 1982 game Joust tucked in a corner between two larger machines, there was no question as to whether or not it would be played. He could not pass up the opportunity to set a new record on something so entirely ridiculous as a game in which a knight riding a flying ostrich dukes it out with other riders and pterodactyls. Backpack resting on his feet and a stack worth of coins in his pocket, he skillfully taps the button to fly upwards as he steers left and right to fend off the enemies of the fourth wave. The joystick is a bit more sensitive to the right than the left, but now aware, he accounts for it as he veers across one edge of the screen to appear on the other and knock down a hunter. Descending to land only long enough on the middle level platform to pick up the dropped egg, he’s off again.

Arrival

[iamnotgod]

Walter shows up early - by a few minutes, on purpose - with Russell in tow, or at least not far behind.

That wave is returned in earnest, though Walter's expression shifts quickly from earnest happiness to curiosity.

"... Is the mask because of dental changes, or something else?"

It doesn't quite look like the mask prevents Ben from breathing easily, or he'd be more concerned instead of curious.

That, and if Ben's put Russell in the know yet, Walter sure doesn't know.

Arrival - in a round of tags or two

[spaghettimonster]

Russell trails behind a little ways, distracted by displays right at the doorway and not yet caught up in their conversation.

It's been a while since he's stepped foot in the arcade, and even longer since he was excited to play alongside friends... And the whole place seems more vibrant and interesting for it. Not just one of the many places his eyes blur past on his way to a shift at the gift shop.

Seriously, are these some adorable keychains or what?

[dragoonrouge]

Sadie rounded the corner onto the road with the arcade on it at a brisk jog. She'd been delayed at home and was running late. Spotting Ben and Walter and Russell she waves at them before checking right then left and crossing the road.

"Hey! Sorry, I'm a little late, had to help Dad purchase some stuff on Amazon." She gives that the eyeroll it deserves, which they can actually see as instead of sunglasses Sadie is wearing her coloured contact lenses. She goes in to give Walter a hug and then Ben who gets an extra tight squeeze before letting them go and spotting Russell. "Oh, you helped me with the Shetland Pony at the petting zoo. Nice to see you in the flesh again."

[warped_replica]

Brows pinching together as his eyes smile in apology, he bows his head forward a little and shrugs his shoulders with palms turned up, “Yeah, I can’t talk without it being obvious anymore. Looks a little snarly.” Especially when he smiles, and he wants to smile tonight.

He watches as Russell moves towards the shops instead of over to meet with Walter and him. He seems quite eager to scope things out, and Benjiro is glad for that.

It is when Sadie arrives that his eyes really light up, and it is made all too apparent with the mask isolating that part of his expression. He waits where he stands as Sadie greets Walter with a hug first, and spreads his arms open when she turns towards him to accept the hug. Eyes closed briefly in the shared tight squeeze, he teases, “Maybe a whole minute or two behind.”

High Score Slaughter

[cannibalartist]

Takamasa finished up his round of Groove Coaster and entered his name on the high score list. He was about to go again when he noticed someone playing one of the classic cabinets almost next to him. They seemed to be well engrossed in the game - Takamasa couldn't help but come up behind Ben and watch. He waited until Ben hit the game over screen before speaking, not wanting to ruin Ben's concentration. "Wow, you're really good at this."

[warped_replica]

It will take some patience as Benjiro will make it to Wave 15 before the pterodactyl imposes too much of an obstacle coupled with the hand from the lava holding him in place on his final life. The game mechanics pose some possible strategies after making his first run based on reaction alone, and as he straightens up from the Thy Game Is Over screen with his mind turning over the options, he hears a voice speak up. Glancing back over a shoulder, he smiles under his face mask and tags in ‘AAA’ for the highscore list, “Thanks. Second run should be better.” Not worth the time to put in a silly entry until he tops the list properly.

He takes a half step back as he turns to look properly to see who had been watching him play. Though the man seems familiar somehow, he can’t remember where he has seen him. With one hand motioning to the controls, he makes an offer, “Do you want to take a turn?”

[cannibalartist]

To be completely honest? Takamasa was absolutely in awe over Ben's playing, becoming more and more engrossed with each wave that Ben passed. The complexity of the game with the rising lava and the overall scaling complexity of the game. Takamasa couldn't help but go slack jaw for a second once Ben admitted to that being his first run. Kid was good, man.

Voice was also familiar. Takamasa smiled. "I appreciate the offer, but I usually stick to rhythm games - I'm better with the music. I can leave if you don't want the audience, though." He paused, debating the next question. "This is a bit forward, and normally I wouldn't ask, but you sound really familiar. Have we met before? My name is Takamasa Ishihara."

[warped_replica]

At the offer to leave him to play without observation, Benjiro smiles and shakes his head, “I don’t mind at all. I’m actually used to having a bit of an audience whenever I play at home.” The encouragement he receives from his regular stream viewers energizes his gameplay and has been the root of his more wild trials of maneuvers and strategies. Playing efficiently and succeeding is rewarding within the game systems by design, but to do so in an unexpected way for entertainment pleases him as much as it does his followers.

Reaching into his pocket for a new coin when the second question is posed, Benjiro fumbles his grasp on the change when he hears the presented name and drops it onto the floor. He cannot help but stare as recognition stuns him with the sheer magnitude of the improbability of such a meeting. Then he remembers his manners with a flush visible at the edge of his face mask and bows forward with arms at his sides briefly, “I’m certain we have not. My name is Benjiro Thorne. I-“ he cuts himself off, and switches to speaking in Japanese, “I enjoy listening to your music, but I’ve never attended any of the concerts you’ve held.”

Although he never uses his full name on the channel, friends have occasionally used his nickname ‘Ben’ during broadcasts.

Arcade OTA

[iamnotgod]

For the most part, Walter had simply come well-equipped with coins, willing to offer anyone a leg up for their second try (or third, or tenth...) at a particularly hard game.

He's also willing to be dragged - well, 'dragged' - into ITG or anything similar, especially if Ben or Sadie want a partner.

There will be a high level of difficulty in pulling him from the Candy Crush machine once he gets to it, though. Some addictions were too hard to fight.

[warped_replica]

After decimating the high score on a first person horror game shooter ‘Dwelling of the Deceased 4’, Benjiro is ready for a short break and eager to check in with his friends. Coming across Walter standing at the large screen of the Candy Crush game, he lingers back momentarily as he watches Walter switching candies for rapid matches to maximize clearing blockades on the board. His mastery of the combinations is obvious by the time he clears the current level, and the massive pile of tickets on the floor only confirms it.

As the ends, he moves to stand next to Walter opposite the tickets and grins under his mask, “You realize you’re going to clean this machine out of tickets pretty soon, right?”

[iamnotgod]

"It'll save everyone else from the monotony!" Walter replies, words contrasting with his evident enthusiasm.

"Hard to stay addicted when you have to wait for someone else to reload- there we go!"

That last part because he's managed to activate a color bomb. He is fully aware of how ironic his situation is.

He's just too distracted to complain just yet.

"You need anything, Ben?"

*As the level ends (sorry!)

[warped_replica]

The irony is not lost on the teenager, given how much energy is in Walter’s voice when he’s speaking. Figuratively biting back a laugh, Benjiro eases a little closer to peer at Walter’s face as he conitnues, mindful of not impeding his movements interacting with the screen.

He leans back again when asked if he needs something and turns the question around with a specific focus, “Not right now, but how about a snack break once you empty the tickets here? I can go grab some stuff from the pier for everyone.”

It's fine. ^^ And since Pac-man doesn't have to worry about the AU rules:

[iamnotgod]

A few more intense moments of connection later, and it's another level gone.

This time, Walter turns to give Ben proper attention as the numbers tick upward.

"Sounds like a right plan, there. Put me down for the extra chips!"

He winks, then turns back to the big screen.

"I swear, this thing has more levels than Pac-man..."

eventually i will get more russell icons but for now

[spaghettimonster]

High Scores and Coarse Language
There's fun to be had in managing to win at arcade games, triumphing over all those who came before, and leaving your mark in the high scores for others to strive against... And there's also fun in leaving a mark you know you're not supposed to. That's the fun on Russell's mind now that he's won, but even only working with three letters there's so many options.

"Hey," he says, leaning around the machine with a mischievous grin. "I need your opinion: What should I put for my high scores? I can do pound dollar dollar, or just... spell it out."

General Arcade Shenanigans

[All-purpose arcade times. Pointing out interesting games, buying prizes, giving tickets away to kids, what have you.]

HIGH SCORES AND COARSE LANGUAGE

[iamnotgod]

"OFU," Walter says automatically, not looking up from the game he's currently focused on.

Then he realizes what he just said, scrambles to find a pause button, and eventually just gives up over to multitasking and looks over.

"Wait, not that. Aren't initials good enough for this?"

[spaghettimonster]

Russell experiments with typing out G I T for the initials, and continues cycling the last letter so it doesn't finalize the selection.

"Initials are so... Look, we're out with teenagers. We should do as teenagers do; something absurd and immature."

That's how socializing with people works, imitating stereotypes about them until you get the hang of the individuals in question, right?

[iamnotgod]

Walter rolls his eyes, still mussing with the joystick.

"Well, we do have some 'specimens' here. You can just ask them to be sure. If you want immature, though, then why not 'NOB'?"

[spaghettimonster]

"Oh, that's good."

Russell immediately starts switching the initials, and regards his slowly shifting creation. N I T just doesn't have the same feeling, and neither does N O T.

"I... will ask with my next game. Can't step away to find them, the game will just shut it on me."

Sadie the Racing Menace

[dragoonrouge]

Once the greeting and catch-up have been completed outside the Arcade and the group's heads inside, Sadie makes a beeline for where she knows the racing games tend to be placed, off to the side against one of the walls in order to make room for their large peripherals. If the aim of the game is to get top scores and tickets, Sadie knows that this is where she'll be able to do it.

The plan is to tackle them in order from the closest to the door down the line which means that first up is her favourite; Moto GP. Mounting the bike, Sadie shoves a quid in the machine and gets ready to race, laser-focused on the screen.

Feel free to come and race her and good luck if you do.

Re: Sadie the Racing Menace

[iamnotgod]

When Walter stops by, he actually doesn't plan on going in; he'd never had much of a taste for them back in London.

So, for the first few minutes he's just watching, if somewhat intently.

"Mind if I cut in?" he bursts out when Sadie finishes her latest level. He hastily adds,

"That is, if you want to do a 'versus' round."

[dragoonrouge]

Sadie startles slightly at Walter's voice, being as focused as she had been she hadn't noticed him watching her but beams at him nonetheless when he asks to join her.

"Of course! May the best man get the high score."

[iamnotgod]

Walter himself starts slightly, checking to make sure she's not going to unbalance herself in the seat.

"Or woman?" he lightly suggests, sliding over to the spare/co-op mode seat.

Takamasa Introductions

[warped_replica]

Within the first hour of the campaign to rewrite the top scores of the arcade, Benjiro had made acquaintances with someone he knew of but never expected to meet in person. Upon realizing that Takamasa was on his own in the arcade, Benjiro extended an invitation to meet the friends he had come with and join their party for the evening. It’s hard being the new kid, but at least school forces socializing. Moving to Mossgate without a family member to link one to the area must make it that much harder.

So leaving Takamasa briefly by the dance machine he had been setting records on previously, he finds Walter, Russell, and Sadie, and asks them to come over to meet the fellow gamer. Once he has them gathered together, he’ll introduce them all.

“Everyone, this is Takamasa Ishihara. He’s new in town, and he’s from Japan. He’s been killing it on the dance game, and I think he’d help us reach our goal of setting a new round of high records. And these are my friends. Walter Weekes, a computer genius, Russell Scordato, my cousin and a theatre performer, and Sadie Moore, my best friend and future geologist.”

Shall we go in order of how they're introduced, then?

[iamnotgod]

Walter looks more than a little surprised by how Ben introduces him, though he wastes no time in greeting Takamasa with a smile and a meek wave.

"A pleasure to meet you," he says - and if something seems a little odd about his voice, a familiar pitch or timbre, well...

"Though, really, Ben's exaggerating - comparatively speaking, anyway. He can outcode me, some days."